Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Ortega.
Maria, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My friends call me Ale, and I love reading, writing, trying a different types of cuisines. making to-do lists, and checking them, and building toys. In other words, I like getting stuff done! I was born in Venezuela and lived there for most of my life. In 2016, I and my family decided to change our lives and move to the USA looking for a better life, and opportunities.
For those who don’t know, Venezuela is going through a very bad economic, and political situation, to the point, it wasn’t safe for us to be there anymore. This was, and still is one of the biggest challenges in my life. I had to start over, learn a new language, pick a new career, find new friends, a new environment, a new everything.
The first thing I did when I arrived at the airport was download Yelp. I’ve always been very curious, and open to trying new stuff but also very organized, and detail oriented. Even though I like trying new stuff, I like to make sure I research well, check reviews, and ask around before I decide to finally try something for the first time. Yelp was perfect for this because I would know what to expect, and I love that.
Two years after, I became a Yelp Elite and this is where all the fun started! Being a Yelp Elite has helped me with so much. I’ve met so many great people that I can now call my friends, and I’ve visited so many cool places. All of this encouraged me to create my foodie blog on Instagram, Ale Atl, as a platform to express, and share things I love the most about ATL.
To balance it out, I also joined a couple of Hiking clubs (Off The Grid Hiker’s Club, and LatinX Hikers Club) and I go hiking whenever I can. In my love for amazing views, waterfalls, and Georgia, my goal is to visit all State Parks in 2020.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My journey has not been easy, the ups and downs have taught me to be strong, and independent. Even though I’ve made America my home now, I still miss my family, which is all still in Venezuela. Another thing I’ve struggled a lot in the past was the language. My English was not perfect at all when I came to the USA, but now, I could say it is pretty good, and I feel way more comfortable. I even enrolled in college!
After studying industrial engineering in Venezuela, I discovered that my credits could not be validated here in the USA, so I needed to find a new career, and go back to college. Even though it took me longer than expected, I’m finally going back to college for EKG Technology.
Then, when I first created my Instagram Blog I struggled with what type of content I wanted to share. I wanted to be consistent, and original, which is when I came up with a foodie and drinkie Instagram blog feed.
My Yelp path hasn’t been easy either, struggling with the language, writing reviews some times was a little tough, but hard work pays off for sure, and in 2019 I was named one of the Most Reviewed Elites! How crazy is that?
Tell us more about the work.
On Ale Atl I post my journey discovering Atlanta, and it’s amazing eats. I consider myself a foodie, and a drinkie. Per the establishment I visit, I like to try an iconic dish, and an iconic drink/cocktail. On my Instagram blog feed I divide each row being two posts about the dishes, desserts, or anything related to the establishment, and one post for drinks only.
This seems easy, but it’s very hard to keep up. It means that every time I want to post something, I need to make three posts. Otherwise, it would mess up the feed order and appearance. It takes a lot of dedication for sure, but not impossible to accomplish.
In my blog I don’t specialize in anything, in particular, I pretty much post a little bit of every style, and type of cuisines, and that pretty much sums up my adventurous personality. I always like to be involved, and that’s why recently I became a Best Food Feed Atlanta verified contributor as well.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck has played a very important role in my life. I feel lucky for having a wonderful family, my soulmate Peter, and my incredible friends by my side. All of their unconditional support has gotten me where I am today, and for that I’m thankful.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 6783087378
- Email: marialejandraorm@hotmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ale.atl/
- Yelp: https://aleatl.yelp.com
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